Uluwatu in south Bali

Uluwatu in south Bali

Uluwatu is the very southwesterly point of the island of Bali and is important to Bali in both a spiritual way and a tourism way. Firstly it is the location of on of the most sacred 'directional temples' on the island that is said to influence everybody on the island and in the same way as Tanah Lot, it is dedicated to the spirits of the sea and must be visited by every Balinese person on a sacred festival which in the case Uluwatu is Galungan. The temple at Uluwatu is one of the largest in Bali and t is unclear why this area should be so sacred as the history is of the Uluwatu is uncertain and shrouded with myth. On thing that is for certain is that it has been visited by two of the most holy people ever to walk the soils of Bali who both have had their impact on the area. Firstly the Javanese Hindu priests Empu Kuturan who built most of the shine and temple and later Nirartha who added to the shrine. Today as it has been for years the temple has open doors to all who wish to enter in good spirit and it has become a cultural tourist attraction to come and visit the temple named Pura Luhur Uluwatu and witness not only its ancient and incredible intricacy and size but also it’s amazing traditional performances that are carried out from within. These performances involve traditional dress and costumed including women in beautiful outfits with traditional make up and men also with make up and often masks. The performances are elegant and also sinister with trance summoning and dancing as well as reenactments of some of the most fierce and bloodthirsty stories from the myths and legends.

Another interest of Uluwatu is its surfing breaks, there are actually five breaks that are named outside corner, the peak, racetracks and the bombie. The peak and the racetrack are the most consistent waves here that rarely flat due to Uluwatu being the swell's first stop after Antarctica. The other breaks come into play when the swell gets big and can be epic although unless this is the case then the water can be very crowded. There are safe areas to swim on the beach but there can be very strong swells around the cave that can rip you straight into the racetrack that is a powerful barrel breaking onto shallow reef.

There are a few places to stay and more being built. There are luxury and budget places as well as more located around Padang Padang although the new developments at dreamlands are sure to compete with tourists who stay in this area as Dreamlands is less than a 20 minute commute from Uluwatu. Uluwatu is a favorite spot to watch the sun set with a panoramic view of the coast, views of the island of Bali and the incredible white jagged cliffs that transform with the light. When you witness the energy of this are it is hardly surprising that the Balinese have deemed it one the most sacred and holy areas on the island.